Imagine being able to explore the world of technology while housed on one of the countries most historical college campuses, well Mantis EDU’s CEO Laron Walker and UNCF STEM made it a reality for middle and high school scholars from the Atlanta Public School System.

Made possible with a partnership with Clark Atlanta University and UNCF STEM, Mantis EDU introduced middle and high school students to the wonders of technology. With a host of guest specialist students were introduced to different areas of technology ranging from coding to animation to 3D design.

Housed on the Clark Atlanta University campus students began their dive into the intricacies of technology and how its infusion into daily life situations provide valuable physical solutions. In order to give detail descriptions of their personal experience during camp, students learned HTML and CSS. With these tools given the students created blogs that documented their camp experience. To enhance their experience, students were introduced to tech professionals such as Marquette Trishaun – CTO of MantisEDU, Dr. Khao Cates – CEO of Bridge Da Gap and Koolriculum, Scott Haselman -Microsoft Partner Program Manager, Thomas Clifton – 3D modeling instructor, Kevin Woods – MD.

Lead by Steve Holmes through virtual presentations, students learned how develop codes through the use of Scratch. They also learned how including sensor technology produced data they could interpret and use to apply to real life problems. Thomas Clifton taught the students 3D modeling and animation through the use of Tinkercad. Students explored many other areas of technology like how 3D printing is used in the medical industry, how to design and model homes using recycled materials, how technology produces smart farming through the use of aquaponic systems and how they can be monitored through sensor use. Throughout the course of the camp students were given the opportunity to gain hands on experimental learning. Having these experiences afforded the students the opportunity to visualize and understand how collected data can be transfered into tangible solutions for real life problems.

Because of Mantis EDU and UNCF STEM’s commitment to bridging the gap between technology and education, students who may never have had the chance to obtain such an experience were able to have the exposure they needed to motivate them to one day become the leaders of a technological advancing society.